tracked leaders, hit 2nd, went 2nd 12th, not fluent 14th, driven 4 out, weakening when mistake 3 out
held up, took closer order 12th, mistake 13th, mistake again 18th, tracked leader from next, led 2 out, soon ridden clear
tracked leader, pecked 11th, slow jump and lost place next, weakened 14th, tailed off from 16th
led, hit 11th, ridden when chalennged 3 out, headed 2 out and weakened
held up, ridden to chase front leading trio 5 out, held when mistake 3 out
Darkness created a favourable impression when beating an admittedly out of sorts Iris's Gift at Newbury last month and is taken to follow up here at the main expense of Zabenz and Back Nine. The last mentioned is entitled to strip fitter for his return at Lingfield at the end of October but probably needs to improve on that evidence to trouble the selection. Billyvoddan has always looked likely to do better over fences than over the smaller obstacles and did nothing to dispel that belief when beating Kasthari at Huntingdon on his chasing debut last month. Henry Daly's gelding makes more appeal than the Paul Nicholls-trained Goblet of Fire, who was well held behind the selection at Newbury last month and is difficult to recommend on that evidence. Zabenz is improving with each start and has to be respected in receipt of weight from Darkness but Charlie Egerton's gelding has an obvious chance on Newbury form and is taken to win again.
Billyvoddan (IRE) 11-4jt-fav (11-4) Close up, chased leader 11th, ridden and every chance 3 out, jumped left next, driven to lead last, all out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (C) gd in Nov beating Kasthari (11-4) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Darkness 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, in command 2 out, soon well clear, eased run-in, won at Newbury 3m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov beating Iris's Gift (11-9) by 13l, 7 ran.
Goblet of Fire (USA) 20-1 (11-9) Held up, hard driven and beaten 3 out, clambered over next, finished tired, 4th of 7, 42l behind Darkness (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grd 2 (A) gd in Nov.
Zabenz (NZ) 4-1 (11-0) Made all, clear from 11th, distance clear approaching last, unchallenged, won at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (E) gd in Nov beating Lord Olympia (11-0) by 29l, 8 ran.
Back Nine (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up 4th, chased leaders before 3 out, ridden to chase winner before last, no chance, 2nd of 13, 13l behind Copsale Lad (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Oct.
